Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-08-11
Waron fI,e Kniei,ts of Eabor.

War on the knights of Tabor.
War has been formally declared between
the leather manufacturers of Newark, N. j.,
and the knightsl of labor. A secret meet
ing Of the manufacturers association was
held Monday morning, and the following
circular was adopted and placed IN the hands
of the workmen 10 the different factories =
9e ON Employees
Since the formation of the so.called labor or
rsniaation there have been strikes and lockouts,
threats and disturbances Of different kinds in our
factory, resulting in loss and damage TO us and
causing n loss of time and money to our en-
povces aud being convinced that a man who IS
not member of such organization IS as good
workman, better citizen and more apt TO be
faithful to himself, his family and his employer
than one who is bound by the rules of such or.
ranization to obey its orders regardless Of conse-
ouences however unjust or tyrannica its COM
lnands may be- and believing that better results
will be obtained by according to both employer
and employee the right of individually contract
ing for his labor this factory will hereafter be
open only TO such workmen IS will agree TO desl
Individually with u.s.
In carrying out the above we Go not propose to
reduce wages, but, on the contrary, we favor uni
form wages in all manufactures for the same
class of work We will protect our workmen
auy man or body of men as far as it is possible.
The above is to take effect on Saturday,
August Is, 1887. Another resolution was
presented and adopted, which binds the
members of the association to employ only
men who are not knights of labor. Alter
Al manufacturer has declared a lockout or
shut down and desires 10 resume work
again he Will be required to appear before
the executive board of the association and
to give pledges that he will conduct his bus.
mess without any agreement with or re-
cognition of the knights of labor. Or this
condition he will be permitted TO continue
member Of The association. a failure to
do this will entail forfeiture of his bonds,
which are said to be worth $1,000. The
knights find themselves in au almost hope
less situation. If they refuse to accept the
manufacturers terms about four thous.
and men will be idle, and it is generally
understood that the order is in no finan-
cal condition to support so large
number of men for any considerable time.
Newark is the largest leather producing city
in the country and has heretofore been re-
garded as citadel of organized labor The
manufacturers association is composed OF
thirty seven large firms In the present
fight the question of wages or working hours
is not an issue. 1t is o square contest be-
tween organized capital and the knights OF
labor. The manufacturers association has
plenty of money, and many of them have
made large fortunes out of the business.
They are all determined, and declare that
they will not compromise. The president
has several times refused to hold any con-
ference with the knights of labor. For
several weeks there was au armed neutrali-
ty, but on Saturday the first rupture occur.
red, when the workmen in L. P. HowePs
iactory-one of the largest in the city-were
called out by the master workman. The
knights claim that Howell was assisting r..
G. Solomon non.unon manufacturer, to
obtain labor. Over two hundred men left
the factory About half the force returned
to work Monday morning, and Mr.. Howell
says lie is confident Of getting all the men he
wants 1t is understood that several of the
manufacturers, anticipating a strike, secured
number of men in Massachusetts and Con-
necticut and will take them to Newark If
necessary